Claim profile
1800–1899

The 19th century

Whose names filled the books of the 19th century — anyone at all, however long dead — counted as mentions per million words printed, so a period that simply published more does not inflate anyone.

Talked about then

Whose names appeared most in Italian books during the 19th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish18,114German3,599French3,347Italian1,787Spanish1,162Russian325Hebrew105Chinese9
  1. 1GiottoGiotto1267–1337 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists5.5
  2. 2Antonio da CorreggioAntonio da Correggio1489–1534 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists5.0
  3. 3Lorenzo de' MediciLorenzo de' Medici1449–1492 · 15th century · Politicians3.0
  4. 4Dante AlighieriDante Alighieri1265–1321 · 14th century · Writers2.9
  5. 5Pietro PeruginoPietro Perugino1448–1523 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.9
  6. 6Donato BramanteDonato Bramante1444–1514 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects2.6
  7. 7Torquato TassoTorquato Tasso1544–1595 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.6
  8. 8CaravaggioCaravaggio1571–1610 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.1
  9. 9Apostolo ZenoApostolo Zeno1668–1750 · 18th century · Writers2.1
  10. 10CimabueCimabue1240–1302 · 13th century · Artists2.1
  11. 11TintorettoTintoretto1519–1594 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.9
  12. 12Charles BorromeoCharles Borromeo1538–1584 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.8
  13. 13DonatelloDonatello1386–1466 · 15th century · Artists1.8
  14. 14Paul the DeaconPaul the Deacon720–799 · 8th century · Writers1.8
  15. 15Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci1452–1519 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.7
  16. 16Philip NeriPhilip Neri1515–1595 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.7
  17. 17Marco PoloMarco Polo1254–1324 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.7
  18. 18Cosimo de' MediciCosimo de' Medici1389–1464 · 15th century · Politicians1.7
  19. 19Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei1564–1642 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists1.7
  20. 20Andrea DoriaAndrea Doria1466–1560 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.6
  21. 21Giulio RomanoGiulio Romano1499–1546 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.6
  22. 22GuercinoGuercino1591–1666 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.5
  23. 23DomenichinoDomenichino1581–1641 · 17th century · Artists1.5
  24. 24Ugo FoscoloUgo Foscolo1778–1827 · 19th century · Writers1.4
  25. 25PetrarchPetrarch1304–1374 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.4
  26. 26Andrea del SartoAndrea del Sarto1486–1530 · 16th century · Artists1.2
  27. 27Pietro AretinoPietro Aretino1492–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.2
  28. 28Alessandro ManzoniAlessandro Manzoni1785–1873 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.2
  29. 29Giorgio VasariGiorgio Vasari1511–1574 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.2
  30. 30MasaccioMasaccio1401–1428 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.1
  31. 31Baldassare FranceschiniBaldassare Franceschini1611–1690 · 17th century · Artists1.1
  32. 32Francis of AssisiFrancis of Assisi1182–1226 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.1
  33. 33Cesare BorgiaCesare Borgia1475–1507 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures1.1
  34. 34Paolo VeronesePaolo Veronese1528–1588 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.1
  35. 35Guido ReniGuido Reni1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.0
  36. 36Dino CompagniDino Compagni1255–1324 · 13th century · Writers1.0
  37. 37Pietro BemboPietro Bembo1470–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.00
  38. 38Guido CavalcantiGuido Cavalcanti1258–1300 · 13th century · Writers0.99
  39. 39Niccolò MachiavelliNiccolò Machiavelli1469–1527 · 16th century · Politicians0.99
  40. 40Filippo Maria ViscontiFilippo Maria Visconti1392–1447 · 15th century · Politicians0.97
  41. 41Cesare BalboCesare Balbo1789–1853 · 19th century · Politicians0.97
  42. 42Giuseppe MazziniGiuseppe Mazzini1805–1872 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Activists0.93
  43. 43Prospero ColonnaProspero Colonna1452–1523 · 15th century0.90
  44. 44Benvenuto CelliniBenvenuto Cellini1500–1571 · 16th century · Artists0.90
  45. 45Benedetto VarchiBenedetto Varchi1503–1565 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.88
  46. 46Francesco GuicciardiniFrancesco Guicciardini1483–1540 · 16th century · Writers0.88
  47. 47Aloysius GonzagaAloysius Gonzaga1568–1591 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.88
  48. 48Vittorio AlfieriVittorio Alfieri1749–1803 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0.87
  49. 49Silvio PellicoSilvio Pellico1789–1854 · 19th century · Writers0.87
  50. 50Cesare CantùCesare Cantù1804–1895 · 19th century · Writers0.87
  51. 51Giacomo LeopardiGiacomo Leopardi1798–1837 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.85
  52. 52Vincenzo GiobertiVincenzo Gioberti1801–1852 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.85
  53. 53Giovanni BoccaccioGiovanni Boccaccio1313–1375 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.85
  54. 54Francesco RediFrancesco Redi1626–1697 · 17th century · Doctors0.85
  55. 55Francesco GonzagaFrancesco Gonzaga1444–1483 · 15th century0.84
  56. 56Franco SacchettiFranco Sacchetti1332–1400 · 14th century · Writers0.82
  57. 57Teodato IpatoTeodato Ipato750–800 · 8th century · Politicians0.80
  58. 58Salvator RosaSalvator Rosa1615–1673 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.76
  59. 59Giordano BrunoGiordano Bruno1548–1600 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.75
  60. 60Girolamo SavonarolaGirolamo Savonarola1452–1498 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.74
  61. 61Domenico PassignanoDomenico Passignano1559–1638 · 16th century · Artists0.74
  62. 62Paolo SarpiPaolo Sarpi1552–1623 · 16th century · Academics0.73
  63. 63ParmigianinoParmigianino1503–1540 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.72
  64. 64Paolo GiovioPaolo Giovio1483–1552 · 16th century · Writers0.71
  65. 65Massimo d'AzeglioMassimo d'Azeglio1798–1866 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.71
  66. 66Aldus ManutiusAldus Manutius1449–1515 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy0.71
  67. 67AMAldus Manutius the Younger1547–1597 · 16th century0.71
  68. 68Bernardo TassoBernardo Tasso1493–1569 · 16th century · Writers0.71
  69. 69Lucrezia BorgiaLucrezia Borgia1480–1519 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0.69
  70. 70Pietro da CortonaPietro da Cortona1596–1669 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.69
  71. 71MVMatteo Villani1283–1363 · 14th century · Writers0.68
  72. 72Francesco Scipione, marchese di MaffeiFrancesco Scipione, marchese di Maffei1675–1755 · 18th century · Writers0.66
  73. 73Luigi AlamanniLuigi Alamanni1495–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.65
  74. 74Vittoria ColonnaVittoria Colonna1492–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.64
  75. 75Pietro VerriPietro Verri1728–1797 · 18th century · Academics0.64
  76. 76PinturicchioPinturicchio1454–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.64
  77. 77Giuliano de' MediciGiuliano de' Medici1453–1478 · 15th century · Politicians0.62
  78. 78Marsilio FicinoMarsilio Ficino1433–1499 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.62
  79. 79Filippo VillaniFilippo Villani1325–1407 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.62
  80. 80Paulus ManutiusPaulus Manutius1512–1574 · 16th century · Writers0.61
  81. 81Catherine de' MediciCatherine de' Medici1519–1589 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.60
  82. 82Scipione AmmiratoScipione Ammirato1531–1601 · 16th century · Writers0.58
  83. 83Bernardino of SienaBernardino of Siena1380–1444 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.58
  84. 84Francesco FilelfoFrancesco Filelfo1398–1481 · 15th century · Academics0.56
  85. 85Andrea GrittiAndrea Gritti1455–1538 · 15th century · Politicians0.56
  86. 86PontormoPontormo1494–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.52
  87. 87Antonio RosminiAntonio Rosmini1797–1855 · 19th century · Academics0.51
  88. 88Leon Battista AlbertiLeon Battista Alberti1404–1472 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects0.49
  89. 89Francesco FoscariFrancesco Foscari1373–1457 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.47
  90. 90Giosuè CarducciGiosuè Carducci1835–1907 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.47
  91. 91Andrea DandoloAndrea Dandolo1306–1354 · 14th century · Politicians0.45
  92. 92Alessandro CagliostroAlessandro Cagliostro1743–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors0.45
  93. 93Francesco VettoriFrancesco Vettori1474–1540 · 16th century · Writers0.45
  94. 94Leandro AlbertiLeandro Alberti1479–1552 · 16th century · Writers0.45
  95. 95Amerigo VespucciAmerigo Vespucci1454–1512 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.44
  96. 96Erasmo of NarniErasmo of Narni1370–1443 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy0.44
  97. 97Anton Maria SalviniAnton Maria Salvini1653–1729 · 17th century · Writers0.43
  98. 98MichelangeloMichelangelo1475–1564 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.43
  99. 99Francesca da RiminiFrancesca da Rimini1259–1285 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.42
  100. 100Antonio CanovaAntonio Canova1757–1822 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.42

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 19th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇺🇸 United States🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇮🇹 Italy🇪🇸 Spain🇯🇵 Japan🇦🇹 Austria🇹🇷 Turkey🇸🇪 Sweden
FieldAllPoliticiansWritersHistorical FiguresScientistsAcademicsArtistsMusiciansDoctorsFoundersJournalists
  1. 1Louis PasteurLouis Pasteur1822–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  2. 2Gustave EiffelGustave Eiffel1832–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  3. 3Pierre CuriePierre Curie1859–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists13 decades
  4. 4André-Marie AmpèreAndré-Marie Ampère1775–1836 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  5. 5Rudolf DieselRudolf Diesel1858–1913 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  6. 6Henri BecquerelHenri Becquerel1852–1908 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  7. 7Louis BrailleLouis Braille1809–1852 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  8. 8Georges CuvierGeorges Cuvier1769–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists21 decades
  9. 9Nicéphore NiépceNicéphore Niépce1765–1833 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists6 decades
  10. 10Louis DaguerreLouis Daguerre1787–1851 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  11. 11Nicolas Léonard Sadi CarnotNicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot1796–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists16 decades
  12. 12Joseph Louis Gay-LussacJoseph Louis Gay-Lussac1778–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  13. 13Élie MetchnikoffÉlie Metchnikoff1845–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  14. 14Léon FoucaultLéon Foucault1819–1868 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  15. 15Augustin-Jean FresnelAugustin-Jean Fresnel1788–1827 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  16. 16Camille FlammarionCamille Flammarion1842–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists16 decades
  17. 17Clément AderClément Ader1841–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists11 decades
  18. 18Urbain Le VerrierUrbain Le Verrier1811–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists4 decades
  19. 19Marcellin BerthelotMarcellin Berthelot1827–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  20. 20Michel Eugène ChevreulMichel Eugène Chevreul1786–1889 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  21. 21Gabriel LippmannGabriel Lippmann1845–1921 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists7 decades
  22. 22Louis Le PrinceLouis Le Princeborn 1841 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  23. 23Jean Eugène Robert-HoudinJean Eugène Robert-Houdin1805–1871 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  24. 24Henry Louis Le ChatelierHenry Louis Le Chatelier1850–1936 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists12 decades
  25. 25Jean-Baptiste BiotJean-Baptiste Biot1774–1862 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  26. 26Henri MoissanHenri Moissan1852–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  27. 27Claude-Louis NavierClaude-Louis Navier1785–1836 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  28. 28Étienne-Jules MareyÉtienne-Jules Marey1830–1904 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  29. 29Guillaume Henri DufourGuillaume Henri Dufour1787–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  30. 30Edmond BecquerelEdmond Becquerel1820–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  31. 31Édouard-Léon Scott de MartinvilleÉdouard-Léon Scott de Martinville1817–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  32. 32André-Jacques GarnerinAndré-Jacques Garnerin1769–1823 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  33. 33Marc Isambard BrunelMarc Isambard Brunel1769–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  34. 34Paul SabatierPaul Sabatier1854–1941 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  35. 35Pierre DuhemPierre Duhem1861–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists12 decades
  36. 36Paul Vidal de La BlachePaul Vidal de La Blache1845–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  37. 37Benoît Paul Émile ClapeyronBenoît Paul Émile Clapeyron1799–1864 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  38. 38Pierre JanssenPierre Janssen1824–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  39. 39André MichelinAndré Michelin1853–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists6 decades
  40. 40Roland BonaparteRoland Bonaparte1858–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  41. 41Jean-Baptiste DumasJean-Baptiste Dumas1800–1884 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  42. 42Louis LumièreLouis Lumière1864–1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists13 decades
  43. 43Éleuthère Irénée du PontÉleuthère Irénée du Pont1771–1834 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  44. 44Alcide d'OrbignyAlcide d'Orbigny1802–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  45. 45Armand DavidArmand David1826–1900 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  46. 46Antoine BéchampAntoine Béchamp1816–1908 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  47. 47Marc SeguinMarc Seguin1786–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists16 decades
  48. 48Édouard BranlyÉdouard Branly1844–1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  49. 49Louis Jacques ThénardLouis Jacques Thénard1777–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  50. 50Henry DarcyHenry Darcy1803–1858 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  51. 51Émile BaudotÉmile Baudot1845–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  52. 52Henri Marie Ducrotay de BlainvilleHenri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville1777–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  53. 53Charles-Adolphe WurtzCharles-Adolphe Wurtz1817–1884 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  54. 54Jeanne Villepreux-PowerJeanne Villepreux-Power1794–1871 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  55. 55Charles Joseph MinardCharles Joseph Minard1781–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  56. 56Antoine Thomson d'AbbadieAntoine Thomson d'Abbadie1810–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  57. 57Fulgence BienvenüeFulgence Bienvenüe1852–1936 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  58. 58Paul-Émile Lecoq de BoisbaudranPaul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran1838–1912 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  59. 59Félix SavartFélix Savart1791–1841 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  60. 60Henri GiffardHenri Giffard1825–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists4 decades
  61. 61Charles FriedelCharles Friedel1832–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists7 decades
  62. 62Jean Charles Athanase PeltierJean Charles Athanase Peltier1785–1845 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  63. 63Gaston PlantéGaston Planté1834–1889 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  64. 64Henri Victor RegnaultHenri Victor Regnault1810–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists7 decades
  65. 65Antoine César BecquerelAntoine César Becquerel1788–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  66. 66Henri MouhotHenri Mouhot1826–1861 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  67. 67Édouard-Alfred MartelÉdouard-Alfred Martel1859–1938 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  68. 68Victor LoretVictor Loret1859–1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists9 decades
  69. 69Paul Ulrich VillardPaul Ulrich Villard1860–1934 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  70. 70Alexandre BrongniartAlexandre Brongniart1770–1847 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists22 decades
  71. 71Léon GaumontLéon Gaumont1864–1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  72. 72François-Vincent RaspailFrançois-Vincent Raspail1794–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  73. 73Antoine Jérôme BalardAntoine Jérôme Balard1802–1876 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  74. 74Jacques-Arsène d'ArsonvalJacques-Arsène d'Arsonval1851–1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists4 decades
  75. 75Jacques CurieJacques Curie1855–1941 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  76. 76Octave ChanuteOctave Chanute1832–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  77. 77Édouard RocheÉdouard Roche1820–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  78. 78Adolphe AlphandAdolphe Alphand1817–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists2 decades
  79. 79Charles Frédéric GerhardtCharles Frédéric Gerhardt1816–1856 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists5 decades
  80. 80Bernard CourtoisBernard Courtois1777–1838 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  81. 81Auguste BravaisAuguste Bravais1811–1863 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  82. 82Augustin Saint-HilaireAugustin Saint-Hilaire1779–1853 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  83. 83Auguste LumièreAuguste Lumière1862–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  84. 84Paul HéroultPaul Héroult1863–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  85. 85Alexis BouvardAlexis Bouvard1767–1843 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  86. 86Frédéric CuvierFrédéric Cuvier1773–1838 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists19 decades
  87. 87Pierre Louis DulongPierre Louis Dulong1785–1838 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  88. 88Alphonse Pyramus de CandolleAlphonse Pyramus de Candolle1806–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  89. 89PBPierre-François Bouchard1771–1822 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  90. 90Jean-Baptiste BoussingaultJean-Baptiste Boussingault1801–1887 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  91. 91Casimir LefaucheuxCasimir Lefaucheux1802–1852 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  92. 92Claude GayClaude Gay1800–1873 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  93. 93Gustave TrouvéGustave Trouvé1839–1902 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  94. 94Léon Charles ThéveninLéon Charles Thévenin1857–1926 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  95. 95Maurice KoechlinMaurice Koechlin1856–1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  96. 96Hippolyte Mège-MourièsHippolyte Mège-Mouriès1817–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  97. 97François-Marie RaoultFrançois-Marie Raoult1830–1901 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  98. 98Jules Antoine LissajousJules Antoine Lissajous1822–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  99. 99Auguste CharloisAuguste Charlois1864–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  100. 100Anselme PayenAnselme Payen1795–1871 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades

How this is measured

  • Placing people in time. Each person belongs to the century in which they were most active — around age 35, and never after their death.
  • Who ranks highest. Within a century, people are ranked where two independent signals agree: how many of the world’s Wikipedia language editions cover them, and how many people actually read about them. Article counts alone can be lifted by a person’s own circle; readers cannot.
  • Fame in print. The curves count how often a name appears in Google Books from 1800 to 2019, as a share of all the words printed each year, in the person’s own language wherever that corpus exists. Those decades are over, so each measurement is made once and kept.
  • What is left out. A lifetime is measured only from 1820, when there is enough print to judge; the five years after a death are skipped as obituaries; and a name shared with someone equally notable is credited to neither.